The Existence of God

Question 1

Give Anselm’s ontological argument in premises.

Answer 1

1. We have an idea of God
2. By definition, God is a being greater than which cannot be conceived.
3. God either exists in reality, or just in the mind
4. It is greater to exist in reality than in the mind
5. Therefore God must exist

Question 2

Give Gaunilo’s objection to the ontological argument.

Answer 2

Gaunilo argues that by Anselm’s logic, one can argue that anything that is the ‘greatest’ of its kind must exist.
He proposes an island that is greater than any other, which by Anselm’s standards must exist. This is ridiculous, and therefore the argument must be flawed.

Question 3

Give a response to Gaunilo’s opposition to the ontological argument.

Answer 3

Anselm argues that his argument applies only to God, as God is unique in that the very concept of him requires him to be the greatest being in existence. An island, however perfect is still just an island, and there is nothing about an island that requires greatness, as greatness is not a defining quality of that island.

Question 4

Give Descartes ontological argument in premises.

Answer 4

1. I have the idea of God
2. The idea of God is the idea of a supremely perfect being
3. A supremely perfect being must exist, as not existing would be an imperfection
4. Therefore we must think of God as existing, just as we must think of a triangle having 180 degree angles
5. Therefore God must exist

Question 5

Give Leibniz’s contribution to the ontological argument.

Answer 5

Leibniz suggests that to stand up, Descartes’ argument requires a better understanding of ‘perfection’.
He defines perfection as something ‘simple, positive and limitless’.

Question 6

Give Hume’s opposition to the Ontological argument.

Answer 6

Hume draws a distinction between synthetic and analytic statements- claims based on observation and claims based on logical thought.
He argues that as existence is a synthetic statement, we must accept that either God exists or doesn’t:
1. Nothing that is distinctly conceivable implies a contradiction
2. Whatever we conceive as existent, we can also conceive as non-existence
3. Therefore there is no being whose non-existence implies contradiction

Question 7

Give Kant’s opposition to the ontological argument.

Answer 7

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